Meet Your Advocacy Team
(Left to right: Linnea, Audra, and Teresa)
Linnea Nasman began her role as Programs & Government Affairs Coordinator in October 2009 and works in the Austin office. Linnea came to Texas from the Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society, where she worked in both advocacy and donor relations. In California, she partnered with and organized MS activists, worked with coalitions, called on legislators, and supported development campaigns including Walk MS and the MS 150. Linnea is a native of Berkeley, CA and graduated from the University of California at Davis with honors.
Teresa Wynne (Government Relations Committee Co-Chair) has been involved in advocacy for the MS Society on a local, state, and national level since 2007. She is a committed MS activist and has participated in the MS Society’s Public Policy Conferences on both a state and federal level. In addition, she co-founded and leads a MS Support group in Arlington and has been captain of a MS Walk team since 2008.
She is a native of Arkansas but has been a resident of Texas since 1984. She has been married for over 20 years, has two grown step-sons, and four grandchildren (one on the way!). She has been a computer geek for over 30 years, with a passion for helping adults learn new software products. She is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a degree in Business Computer Science. She says, “God has blessed me with a strong network of family and friends. Since my diagnosis in May 2003, I have had to make my share of changes – like prioritize my time and budget my energy. I have learned to take life one day at a time.”
Audra Laminack (Government Relations Committee Co-Chair) brings experience in public relations and as a committed volunteer to the Government Relations Committee. Audra has worked with her local MS chapter (Panhandle) in planning walk MS and serving as a Team Captain for the previous 5 years. Additionally, she is has served on the Panhandle MS Chapter Leadership Board for several years. She attended the Texas Public Policy Conference in 2009 as well as the National Public Policy Conference this year.
During college, she worked as Youth Director and Sponsor in the High Plains Area. Audra directed and co-directed camps and retreats as well as served on area boards and other capacities. Previously, she planned several events for the Women’s Ministry at Amarillo South Church which included the Holiday Extravaganza 2 years in a row. Audra's academic background includes a Criminal Justice degree from West Texas A&M University.
Audra is employed as a Community Supervision Officer for Potter, Randall, and Armstrong Counties. As a Supervision Officer, she testifies before judges, prosecutors, family members, and the community in addition to enriching clients' lives while striving for rehabilitation. Audra's most notable accomplishment is being a single-parent to Matthew who will be starting his senior year in high school this year! (Who knows what she will accomplish after her only child leaves and she is empty nesting?)